Conduit repair system

ABSTRACT

A method of repairing a crack or leak in a curved section of plumbing includes wetting/saturating a conduit repair liner with a bonding agent (e.g., epoxy). The conduit repair liner has straps with an end of each of the straps at an edge of the conduit repair liner and a distal end of each of straps has a section of hook and loop material. After saturating is complete, the conduit repair liner we with the bonding agent is wrapped around an inflatable carrier and then both are positioned within the curved section of the plumbing. Now, the inflatable carrier is inflated such that the conduit repair liner adheres evenly to the inside surfaces of the curved section of the plumbing. Next, the inflatable carrier is deflated and removed, leaving the conduit repair liner evenly adhered to the inside surfaces of the curved section of the plumbing.

FIELD

The invention relates to an improved system and method for rehabilitation of a portion of a structurally damaged or leaking gravity flow system, service line, joint, etc.

BACKGROUND

Ruptures, cracks, and holes often occur in underground conduits such as sanitary sewer lines, storm sewer pipes, and other gravity flow systems and service lines. Repairing these ruptured conduits, from within, is far less expensive and less dangerous than excavating and replacing the damaged sections. One such repair method is to introduce into the conduit a polyester-fiberglass or other structural composite liner impregnated with a thermosetting resin. The liner is wrapped around and secured to an inflatable bladder which is positioned at the rupture and inflated, forcing the repair liner against the inside wall of the conduit. The impregnated composite liner adheres to the damaged inner surface of the conduit and hardens. After completion of the curing process, the bladder is deflated and removed from the conduit. Known related art include U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,995,761 and 5,049,003 to Barton, U.S. Pat. No. 5,628,345 to Fisco, U.S. Pat. No. 5,322,653 to Muller, U.S. Pat. No. 3,202,562 to Lang, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,261,374 to Anderson, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,776,370 to Long, U.S. Pat. No. 4,880,035 to Vetter, U.S. Pat. No. 4,950,446 to Kinumoto, et al., U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,985,196 and 5,091,137 to LeDoux, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,199,463 to Lippiatt, U.S. Pat. No. 5,203,377 to Harrington, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,213,727 and 5,346,658 to Gargiulo, U.S. Pat. No. 5,265,648 to Lyon, U.S. Pat. No. 5,501,248 to Kiest, et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 6,019,136 to Walsh, et al., the contents of U.S. Pat. No. 6,019,136 are incorporated by reference.

The methods and apparatus, for example, as described in the above cited patents provides for repairs of cracks or leaks in straight sections of pipes, but is less useful for curved sections of pipe, especially curves of 90 degrees or more due to the lack of conformity of the repair liner. Such a repair is often needed in the 90 degree curved section of PVC pipe often found beneath a commode, especially when the commode is situated on a cement slab. Prior repairs often required excavating around the 90 degree section, removal of the damaged 90 degree section, replacement with a new 90 degree section and replacement of the concrete that was removed in the excavation.

What is needed is a system that will repair cracks or leaks in curved sections of pipes.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, a conduit repair system is disclosed including a bonding agent and a conduit repair liner. The conduit repair liner has a mechanism to removably affixing the conduit repair liner to a carrier such as straps or other mechanisms. The conduit repair liner is substantially absorbent and soaked in the bonding agent. At least a central section of the conduit repair liner is sufficiently resilient as to conform to a section of curved plumbing without forming waves in a surface of the conduit repair liner after the conduit repair liner is inserted into the curved plumbing and the carrier is inflated.

In another embodiment, a method of repairing a crack or leak in a curved section of plumbing is disclosed including impregnating a conduit repair liner in a bonding agent. The conduit repair liner has straps with an end of each of the straps at an edge of the conduit repair liner and a distal end of each of straps has a section of hook and loop material. After impregnation is complete, the conduit repair liner is wrapped around an inflatable carrier and then both are positioned within the curved section of the plumbing. Now, the inflatable carrier is inflated such that the conduit repair liner adheres evenly to the inside surfaces of the curved section of the plumbing. Next, the inflatable carrier is deflated and removed, leaving the conduit repair liner evenly conforms and adhered to the inside surfaces of the curved section of the plumbing. In some embodiments, the inflatable carrier is coated with a release agent (e.g., petroleum jelly) to reduce adherence to the conduit repair liner.

In another embodiment, a conduit repair system for repairing a curved section of plumbing is disclosed including a bonding agent and a conduit repair liner. The conduit repair liner has straps for removably affixing the conduit repair liner to a carrier (e.g., an inflatable carrier). The conduit repair liner is absorbent and at least a central section of the conduit repair liner includes one or more layers of fleece or other stretchable, absorbent material. Fleece is used as fleece is both absorbent and the fleece conforms to the curved section of the plumbing without forming waves in a surface of the fleece after the conduit repair liner is impregnated with the bonding agent, is inserted into the curved section of the plumbing, and the carrier is inflated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention can be best understood by those having ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a conduit repair system liner.

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the conduit repair system liner.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the conduit repair system liner being impregnated in resin then wrapped around a deflated carrier.

FIG. 4A illustrates a cross-sectional view of the conduit repair system liner wrapped around a deflated carrier and pulled into place within a 90 degree curve of a conduit.

FIG. 4B illustrates a cross-sectional view of the conduit repair system liner wrapped around a now inflated carrier in place within the 90 degree curve of a conduit.

FIG. 4C illustrates a cross-sectional view of the conduit repair system liner in place within the 90 degree curve of a conduit, after the carrier has been deflated and removed.

FIG. 5A illustrates a cross-sectional view of the conduit repair system liner wrapped around a deflated carrier and pulled into place within a curve of a conduit that bends less than 90 degrees.

FIG. 5B illustrates a cross-sectional view of the conduit repair system liner wrapped around a now inflated carrier in place within a curve of a conduit that bends less than 90 degrees.

FIG. 5C illustrates a cross-sectional view of the conduit repair system liner in place within a curve of a conduit that bends less than 90 degrees, after the carrier has been deflated and removed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Throughout the following detailed description, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements in all figures.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, views of a conduit repair system is shown. In prior repair systems, a felt/fiberglass thread material was saturated in resin (e.g., Epoxy), wrapped around a carrier, then positioned within a straight (e.g., substantially linear) section of plumbing in the area of a leak or crack. Using this material and method did not work for curved sections of plumbing, especially in 90 degree curved sections, as the felt/fiberglass material facing the inside radius of the curved section did not compress significantly, while the felt/fiberglass material facing the outside radius of the curved section did not stretch significantly, resulting in waves/bunching of the felt/fiberglass material facing the inside radius of the curved section and pulling of the felt/fiberglass material facing the outside radius of the curved section. The waves/bunching will lead to a reduced conduit diameter and will lead to potential clogging. The pulling also results in reduced diameter, but additionally, will create air-gaps between the felt/fiberglass material and the curved section of plumbing, resulting in a lack of connection and bonding of the felt/fiberglass material and the curved section with the plumbing.

The improved conduit repair system shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 overcomes such issues by using a material that stretches in the area of the bend. An exemplary conduit repair system includes a conduit repair system liner 9 that is substantially planar and is made of materials that will soak up a bonding agent 90 (e.g., Epoxy resin). This exemplary conduit repair system liner 9 has two end sections 16 and a central section 30. The central section comprises materials that provide for stretching when the central section 306 is positioned in a curved area of plumbing as shown in FIGS. 4A-5C. Although many materials are possible, a preferred material is fleece, with or without a fiberglass bi-axle reinforcement material. Alternately, a continuous fiberglass mat or a chopped fiberglass mat is anticipated. In FIG. 2, an exemplary central section 30 is shown including a layer of a stretchy, absorbent material 32 (e.g., fleece), a reinforcement material 34, and another layer of a stretchy material 36 (e.g., fleece). The optional reinforcement material 34 (e.g., fiberglass bi-axle reinforcement material) provides additional structural strength and, by being positioned off-axis with respect to the forces of stretching, the reinforcement material 34 will stretch with the layers of stretchy, absorbent material 32/36. In some embodiments, the layers of the central section 30 are stitched together, but with a zigzag stitch to allow for stretching and contraction.

Since the end sections 16 are not required to bend, it is anticipated that the end sections be fabricated either of the same material as the central sections 30 or be fabricated as previously known using a layer of felt 14 and a layer of tightly woven fiberglass material 15 to provide additional structural strength. In a preferred embodiment, the layer of felt 14 is stitched or sewn to the layer of tightly woven fiberglass material 15, though any attachment mechanism is anticipated including glue and/or adhesives.

To position the conduit repair system liner 9 around a carrier 80 (see FIGS. 3, 4A, 4B, 5A, 5B), one or more retaining straps 20 are provided. As will be shown, after impregnating the conduit repair system liner 9 with a bonding agent 90 (e.g., epoxy resin), the conduit repair system liner 9 is wrapped around a carrier 80 and held to the carrier 80 by attaching the retaining strap(s) 20 to one or more attachment areas 16/18, preferably using hook and loop material or any other temporary attachment mechanism.

Referring to FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the conduit repair system liner 9 being soaked in a bonding agent 90 (e.g., epoxy resin) then wrapped around a deflated carrier 80. Although any bonding agent 90 is anticipated, in a preferred embodiment, the bonding agent 90 is resin and, more particularly, epoxy resin. The bonding agent 90 maintains a mechanically bonded connection between the conduit repair system liner 9 and the plumbing 2/4 (see FIGS. 4A-5C) and, after curing, provides structural strength to the repaired plumbing 2/4.

The conduit repair system liner 9 is coated with a bonding agent 90 before installation into a local of failure. In some methods of installation, the bonding agent 90 (e.g., epoxy resin) is poured and spread over the conduit repair system liner 9, substantially covering the conduit repair system liner 9, for example, using a spreader (not show). In some embodiments, the bonding agent 90 is sprayed onto the conduit repair system liner 9. In FIG. 3, the conduit repair system liner 9 is dipped into a vat 92 of the bonding agent 90, allowing the end sections 16 and the central section 30 to adequately absorb the bonding agent 90. The conduit repair system liner 9 coated with the bonding agent 90 is then wrapped around a carrier 80 and secured using the one or more retaining straps 20 that are affixed to one or more attachment areas 16/18, thereby temporarily holding the conduit repair system liner 9 to the carrier 80. By whatever mechanism used, it is preferred that the conduit repair system liner 9 be substantially covered and saturated in bonding agent 90.

The carrier 80 preferably includes positioning mechanisms 84 for moving the carrier 80 within the plumbing 2/4 and an inflation tube 82, which will be explained. The positioning mechanisms are any device used to properly position the carrier 80 at the local of failure, including, but not limited to ropes, cables, push rods, etc. The method of installation of the conduit repair system liner 9 using the carrier 80 is described with FIGS. 4A-5C, though it is fully anticipated that the conduit repair system liner 9 be used with other types of carrier systems and using other methods that may or may not use a carrier 80.

Referring to FIGS. 4A-4C, views of the conduit repair system liner 9 during installation within a 90 degree curve of a conduit 2. After the conduit repair system liner 9 is wrapped around the carrier 80, the conduit repair system liner 9 and the carrier 80 are positioned within the plumbing 2 as shown in FIG. 4A, by, for example, pulling/pushing using the positioning lines 84. Note, that the method shown of positioning the conduit repair system liner 9 and the carrier 80 are examples as it is anticipated that the conduit repair system liner 9 functions with other methods of positioning, all of which are included here within. Note that there is a crack or leak 3 in the plumbing 2.

Once the conduit repair system liner 9 and the carrier 80 are in position, the inflatable carrier 80 is inflated (see FIG. 4B) through the inflation tube 82, expanding the conduit repair system liner 9 and forcing the conduit repair system liner 9 to stretch and contact the inside surface of the plumbing 2. By making the central section 30 from a stretchable material such as fleece, the conduit repair system liner 9 at the smaller radius area of the plumbing 2 compresses without wrinkling while the conduit repair system liner 9 at the larger radius area of the plumbing 2 stretches without creating a gap between the conduit repair system liner 9 and the inside wall of the plumbing 2 (at the larger radius). Therefore, substantially the entire conduit repair system liner 9 (soaked with the bonding agent 90) rests against the inner walls of the plumbing 2 in the area of the crack/leak 3. Now, the carrier 80 is deflated (or evacuated if necessary) and pulled out of the repair area of the pipe 2, leaving the conduit repair system liner 9 affixed to the inside walls of the plumbing 2 as shown in FIG. 4C. Once the bonding agent 90 cures, the plumbing 2 has similar or superior structural support, as required by, for example, plumbing beneath roadways, etc.

Referring to FIGS. 5A-5C, view of the conduit repair system liner 9 during installation within a curve of a conduit 4 that bends less than 90 degrees. After the conduit repair system liner 9 is wrapped around the carrier 80, the conduit repair system liner 9 and the carrier 80 are positioned within the plumbing 4 as shown in FIG. 5A, by, for example, pulling/pushing using the positioning lines 84. Note, that the method shown of positioning the conduit repair system liner 9 and the carrier 80 are examples as it is anticipated that the conduit repair system liner 9 functions with other methods of positioning, all of which are included here within. Note that there is a crack or leak 5 in the plumbing 4.

Once the conduit repair system liner 9 and the carrier 80 are in position, the carrier 80 is inflated (see FIG. 5B) through the inflation tube 82, expanding the conduit repair system liner 9 and forcing the conduit repair system liner 9 to stretch and contact the inside surface of the plumbing 4. By making the central section 30 from a stretchable material such as fleece, the conduit repair system liner 9 at the smaller radius area of the plumbing 4 compresses without wrinkling while the conduit repair system liner 9 at the larger radius area of the plumbing 4 stretches without creating a gap between the conduit repair system liner 9 and the inside wall of the plumbing 4 (at the larger radius). Therefore, substantially the entire conduit repair system liner 9 (soaked with the bonding agent 90) rests against the inner walls of the plumbing 4 in the area of the crack/leak 5. Now, the carrier 80 is deflated (or evacuated if necessary) and pulled out of the repair area of the pipe 4, leaving the conduit repair system liner 9 affixed to the inside walls of the plumbing 4 as shown in FIG. 5C, where curing bonds the conduit repair system liner 9 affixed to the inside walls of the plumbing 4.

Equivalent elements can be substituted for the ones set forth above such that they perform in substantially the same manner in substantially the same way for achieving substantially the same result.

It is believed that the system and method as described and many of its attendant advantages will be understood by the foregoing description. It is also believed that it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the components thereof without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention or without sacrificing all of its material advantages. The form herein before described being merely exemplary and explanatory embodiment thereof. It is the intention of the following claims to encompass and include such changes. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A conduit repair system comprising: a bonding agent; and a conduit repair liner having means for removably affixing to a carrier, surfaces of the conduit repair liner are absorbent and are coated with the bonding agent, at least a central section of the conduit repair liner is sufficiently resilient as to conform to a section of curved plumbing without forming waves in the surfaces of the conduit repair liner after the conduit repair liner is inserted into the curved plumbing and the carrier is inflated; the conduit repair liner further comprises two end sections and each of the end sections comprises a layer of felt stitched to a layer of woven fiberglass.
 2. The conduit repair system of claim 1, wherein section of curved plumbing bends at 90 degrees.
 3. The conduit repair system of claim 1, wherein the bonding agent is a resin.
 4. The conduit repair system of claim 3, wherein the resin is epoxy.
 5. The conduit repair system of claim 1, wherein the central section of the conduit repair liner is made of fleece.
 6. The conduit repair system of claim 1, wherein the central section of the conduit repair liner is made of a two layers of fleece surrounding a layer of reinforcement material.
 7. The conduit repair system of claim 1, wherein the means for removably affixing to the carrier is a plurality of straps, an end of each of the straps affixed to an edge of the conduit repair liner and a distal end of each of the plurality of straps has a section of hook and loop material that mates to a corresponding section of hook and loop material that is affixed to one of the surfaces of the conduit repair liner.
 8. A method of repairing a crack or leak in a curved section of plumbing, the method comprising: substantially coating a conduit repair liner with a bonding agent, the conduit repair liner having plurality of straps, an end of each of the straps at an edge of the conduit repair liner and a distal end of each of the plurality of straps has a section of hook and loop material, the conduit repair liner further comprises two end sections and each of the end sections comprises a layer of felt stitched to a layer of woven fiberglass; after coating, wrapping the conduit repair liner around an inflatable carrier, engaging the hook and loop material to corresponding hook and loop material on a surface of the conduit repair liner; positioning the inflatable carrier and conduit repair liner within the curved section of the plumbing; inflating the inflatable carrier such that the bonding agent abuts the inside surfaces of the curved section of the plumbing; deflating the inflatable carrier; and removing the inflatable carrier, leaving the conduit repair liner and bonding agent affixed to the inside surfaces of the curved section of the plumbing.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the curved section of the plumbing bends at 90 degrees.
 10. The method of claim 8, wherein the bonding agent is epoxy.
 11. The method of claim 8, wherein a central section of the conduit repair liner is made of fleece.
 12. The method of claim 8, further comprising: the bonding agent at least partially filling the crack or the leak in the curved section of the plumbing.
 13. A conduit repair system for repairing a curved section of plumbing, the conduit repair system comprising: a bonding agent; and a conduit repair liner having straps for removably affixing the conduit repair liner to a carrier, the conduit repair liner being absorbent and at least a central section of the conduit repair liner comprising fleece as to conform to the curved section of the plumbing without forming waves in a surface of the fleece after the conduit repair liner is inserted into the curved section of the plumbing and the carrier is inflated, the conduit repair liner being at least partially coated with the bonding agent and the conduit repair liner further comprises two end sections and each of the end sections comprises a layer of felt stitched to a layer of woven fiberglass.
 14. The conduit repair system of claim 13, wherein the curved section of the plumbing bends at 90 degrees.
 15. The conduit repair system of claim 13, wherein the central section of the conduit repair liner further comprises a layer of fiberglass bi-axle reinforcement material that is sandwiched between two layers of the fleece.
 16. The conduit repair system of claim 13, wherein the an end of each of the straps is affixed to an edge of the conduit repair liner and a distal end of each of the of the straps has a section of hook and loop material that mates with and removably holds to a corresponding section of hook and loop material that is affixed to a surface of the conduit repair liner that meets with an inside surface of the curved section of the plumbing.
 17. The conduit repair system of claim 1, wherein the carrier is inflatable for forcing the conduit repair liner against an inside surface of the curved section of the plumbing and deflatable for later removal from the plumbing after the conduit repair liner bonds to the inside surface of the curved section of the plumbing. 